Dear readers, I am writing this just to share my fond memories of living in the Chamaria Building.
The good old building in a corner, adjacent to Howrah bus stand.
The location being very serene, from one of the windows you can see the Howrah bridge.
From the other window you can view the vast Howrah Railway station.
The great river - Ganga, flowing not more than 300-400 meters, provides full supply of cool breeze.
The building is an old structure like any other grand old building of Calcutta. It has the glimpse of British Era with influence of European architecture.
But still despite being old, and in scrap shape it gives you the feeling of being grand.
There is a unique culture of living in chal - a building which is divided into rooms, mind you not apartments, and other conveniences are shared. We call it in India, especially in Mumbai; Chal.
It provides you unique experience of living a life in a unique multi-cultural way.
Most of the families living in this building has migrated from their native places. My family migrated from the state of Punjab. My great grand father migrated from his village and settled here in this city.
I have been one fortunate one to experience and be part of multi cultural heritage. I was born and brought up for few years of child hood, in such a place called Chamaria Building.
It was a fussion of many cultures that shows the true nature of India.
I belong to Sikh punjabi family, and we shared the building with Marwari's from Rajasthan and Baniyas and others from UP.
But each and every one gelled with each other like a single family member.
Every one enjoyed each others festivals and fervor.
I met with an accident in my child hood and what I can remember is of that incident. I accidentally fell from 2nd floor to 1st floor. The whole of the building helped my family to reach Calcutta hospital. I being taken up by arms by Vishnu Uncle who was our neighbor. On that particular day, the whole of Howrah Bridge was jam and I remember My Uncle - Parvinderjit Singh, fondly called Bally and Vishnu Uncle running on the bridge with myself being in there hand bleeding and they were crying. But fortunately they were able to get me admitted to Calcutta Hospital timely.
Yesterday all those memories struck back and took me to that time. I thought of sharing my views on line about this.
Today, in many parts of India, there are sections of the society that always tries to divide the society on the basis of culture, religion or language.
But the places like Chamaria Building always brings people close to each other.
Today, Vishnu Uncle family has moved on to Pune, and myself has settled down in Chandigarh. But still I try to keep in touch with them. Its not only about only one person but about all the people with whom we lived over there.
There are many such incidents, may be there were many other people too with me at that particular time
and I am sure they all would had been residents of Chamaria Building.
I still remember playing cricket, eating with kids next door, sharing many things with others, going to temples, gurudwara and church. I am thankful to all the residents of Chamaria Building for sharing such beautiful moments of my childhood. Still remember, Sushil Uncle for getting me countless cold drinks and yes bringing crackers for diwali.
We had a small joint family living in small house - relative to what I ve got now. Also makes me fortunate to get my share of love from My respected Uncle and Aunt and of Grand father and Grand mother.
Also being first child of the family pampered me for getting maximum affection and love of all family members.
I am thankful for all the love and affection I got from Chamaria Building and also thankful for the modesty that I imbibe today in myself is because of living in Chamaria Building.
The good old building in a corner, adjacent to Howrah bus stand.
The location being very serene, from one of the windows you can see the Howrah bridge.
From the other window you can view the vast Howrah Railway station.
The great river - Ganga, flowing not more than 300-400 meters, provides full supply of cool breeze.
The building is an old structure like any other grand old building of Calcutta. It has the glimpse of British Era with influence of European architecture.
But still despite being old, and in scrap shape it gives you the feeling of being grand.
There is a unique culture of living in chal - a building which is divided into rooms, mind you not apartments, and other conveniences are shared. We call it in India, especially in Mumbai; Chal.
It provides you unique experience of living a life in a unique multi-cultural way.
Most of the families living in this building has migrated from their native places. My family migrated from the state of Punjab. My great grand father migrated from his village and settled here in this city.
I have been one fortunate one to experience and be part of multi cultural heritage. I was born and brought up for few years of child hood, in such a place called Chamaria Building.
It was a fussion of many cultures that shows the true nature of India.
I belong to Sikh punjabi family, and we shared the building with Marwari's from Rajasthan and Baniyas and others from UP.
But each and every one gelled with each other like a single family member.
Every one enjoyed each others festivals and fervor.
I met with an accident in my child hood and what I can remember is of that incident. I accidentally fell from 2nd floor to 1st floor. The whole of the building helped my family to reach Calcutta hospital. I being taken up by arms by Vishnu Uncle who was our neighbor. On that particular day, the whole of Howrah Bridge was jam and I remember My Uncle - Parvinderjit Singh, fondly called Bally and Vishnu Uncle running on the bridge with myself being in there hand bleeding and they were crying. But fortunately they were able to get me admitted to Calcutta Hospital timely.
Yesterday all those memories struck back and took me to that time. I thought of sharing my views on line about this.
Today, in many parts of India, there are sections of the society that always tries to divide the society on the basis of culture, religion or language.
But the places like Chamaria Building always brings people close to each other.
Today, Vishnu Uncle family has moved on to Pune, and myself has settled down in Chandigarh. But still I try to keep in touch with them. Its not only about only one person but about all the people with whom we lived over there.
There are many such incidents, may be there were many other people too with me at that particular time
and I am sure they all would had been residents of Chamaria Building.
I still remember playing cricket, eating with kids next door, sharing many things with others, going to temples, gurudwara and church. I am thankful to all the residents of Chamaria Building for sharing such beautiful moments of my childhood. Still remember, Sushil Uncle for getting me countless cold drinks and yes bringing crackers for diwali.
We had a small joint family living in small house - relative to what I ve got now. Also makes me fortunate to get my share of love from My respected Uncle and Aunt and of Grand father and Grand mother.
Also being first child of the family pampered me for getting maximum affection and love of all family members.
I am thankful for all the love and affection I got from Chamaria Building and also thankful for the modesty that I imbibe today in myself is because of living in Chamaria Building.
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